Gay TV Spring Preview

Brothers & Sisters

Who's gay? Kevin Walker (Matthew Rhys), Scotty Wandell (Luke MacFarlane), Saul Holden (Ron Rifkin)

When is it coming back? April 20, 10:00 p.m. (ABC)

For how long? 4 episodes

Why you should watch: It's quite possibly the gayest show on television, and maybe even one of the best. When we left off, Kevin and Scotty were finally back together and Kevin had given Jason (Eric Winter) his walking papers. Matthew Rhys revealed to Entertainment Weekly that the happy couple would settle into domestic bliss now, but it already looks like problems are arising between the two when the issue of domestic partnership comes up. Uncle Saul's storyline has most likely been placed on the back burner due to the strike.

from left to right: Brothers & Sisters' Rhys, MacFarlane & Rifkin

Desperate Housewives

Who's gay? Andrew Van De Kamp (Shawn Pyfrom), Bob (Tuc Watkins), Lee (Kevin Rahm)

When is it coming back? April 13, 9:00 p.m. (ABC)

For how long? 6 episodes

Why you should watch: The show does have three openly gay characters. However, not everyone has been a fan of them or their storylines. In four seasons, Andrew has evolved from evil to good to boring. When we last left Andrew, his parents were “pimping” him out to an older gay contractor who could fix the tornado-damaged roof of the Van De Kamps. This season also brought gay life-partners Bob and Lee to Wisteria Lane, but they haven't had much to do since they arrived. Judging by the buzz about the remaining four episodes, don't expect that to change much.

from left to right: Desperate Housewives' Pyfrom, Watkins & Rahm

Dirt

Who's gay? Leo (Will McCormack)

When is it coming back? New season premiered March 2, Sundays, 10:00 p.m. (FX)

For how long? Full Season

Why you should watch: Leo plays Lucy's (Courteney Cox) gay or bi brother, who last season helped out a Hollywood actor by allowing his sister to run photos of him and the star together, and then stalked his sister. Not the most positive portrayal of a gay person on TV, but then, no one was portrayed very positively on this show. In its second season, the show has been retooled, and Leo debuted with a “bang,” but hasn’t been seen since. No word on when he resurfaces, but we’re not exactly counting the minutes anyway.

Dirt's McCormack

Doctor Who

Who's gay? Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman)

When is it coming back? In progress. Saturdays, 7:00 p.m. (BBC America)

For how long? 3 episodes

Why you should watch: Before Torchwood, there was Doctor Who. Captain Jack, played by the openly gay John Barrowman, started as a character on this reinvention of the classic sci-fi series. To date, the two shows are still the only sci-fi series with any significant gay characters. In the final three episodes of Doctor Who's third season (airing in June), Captain Jack returns to his roots... and gets to play action hero. You also learn a fascinating secret about Jack's past.

Doctor Who's Barrowman